Fixing the Foundation: A Smarter Mills Act for Orange
Modernizing the Mills Act: A 21st Century Approach to Historic Preservation in Orange
Preserving Orange's historic homes isn't just about aesthetics—it's about honoring our past, maintaining our community's identity, and encouraging responsible property stewardship. Unfortunately, the Mills Act Program in Orange has been suspended for new applicants due to inconsistent compliance and limited follow-through on promised work.
This is unacceptable—for homeowners seeking to preserve, and for the City that benefits from well-maintained historic properties. As your next Councilmember, I will make it a priority to reopen and optimize the Mills Act Program. Here's how:
1. Digital Accountability: A Simple Online Portal
Too many past recipients of Mills Act contracts have failed to complete the improvements they committed to. My solution? An online compliance portal for Mills Act homeowners.
Upload receipts, invoices, and photos of qualified exterior work.
Track progress and deadlines in one place.
Allow city staff to review submissions without needing in-person inspections.
This adds transparency and removes administrative burden. Everyone stays on the same page—and the City gets the documentation it needs to verify homeowners are honoring their end of the agreement.
2. Annual Self-Certification with Randomized Audits
Instead of relying solely on reactive enforcement, I’ll push for a system where homeowners self-certify annually that work is being completed. Then, similar to tax audits, the City can randomly select a percentage for verification each year.
This ensures:
Active homeowner responsibility.
Efficient use of limited staff resources.
An enforceable structure that keeps the program in good legal standing.
3. Use Data to Incentivize Performance
Let’s go beyond compliance—let’s reward high performers. Using the new digital records, the City can:
Spotlight successful Mills Act restorations publicly.
Offer future incentives (like faster planning reviews or reduced permit fees) for documented success.
This turns the Mills Act from a passive tax break into a prestige program—one that preserves our neighborhoods and encourages responsible investment.
4. Restart the Program with Clearer Expectations
We must reopen the program—but with tighter application requirements:
Include penalties or claw backs for non-performance.
Prioritize applicants with documented restoration plans and proven capacity.
Clearer definitions of restoration work to a building that contributes to their Mills Act Contract.
Bottom Line: Preservation with Performance
The City of Orange’s charm is one of our greatest assets. By modernizing and enforcing the Mills Act with smart technology and proactive oversight, we can:
Protect our historic districts.
Ensure taxpayers get value for the tax breaks being issued.
Encourage a new wave of preservation-minded property owners.
I’ve managed Mills Act properties and led capital improvement plans—I know how to track investment and demand accountability. Let’s bring that same standard to our Mills Act Program.